Slice fanout write request

ABSTRACT

A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory such that the processing module, when operable within the computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. The computing device is configured to receive write fanout request and process the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU. The computing device then is configured to generate a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application also claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/075,946, entitled “RE-ENCODING DATA IN A DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK,” filed Mar. 21, 2016, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/168,114, entitled “RE-ENCODING DATA IN A DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK,” filed May 29, 2015, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer networks and more particularly to dispersing error encoded data.

Description of Related Art

Computing devices are known to communicate data, process data, and/or store data. Such computing devices range from wireless smart phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers (PC), work stations, and video game devices, to data centers that support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory system, user input/output interfaces, peripheral device interfaces, and an interconnecting bus structure.

As is further known, a computer may effectively extend its CPU by using “cloud computing” to perform one or more computing functions (e.g., a service, an application, an algorithm, an arithmetic logic function, etc.) on behalf of the computer. Further, for large services, applications, and/or functions, cloud computing may be performed by multiple cloud computing resources in a distributed manner to improve the response time for completion of the service, application, and/or function. For example, Hadoop is an open source software framework that supports distributed applications enabling application execution by thousands of computers.

In addition to cloud computing, a computer may use “cloud storage” as part of its memory system. As is known, cloud storage enables a user, via its computer, to store files, applications, etc. on an Internet storage system. The Internet storage system may include a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system and/or a dispersed storage system that uses an error correction scheme to encode data for storage.

Within data storage systems, there may be instances where more than one user seeks to access a particular portion of data. In some instances of such data storage systems, the system resources may not adequately be able to service all of the requests for the same data. The prior art does not provide adequate or acceptable solutions to service such needs in such situations. There continues to be a need in the prior art for improvement in the operation of data storage systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a specific example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a slice name of an encoded data slice (EDS) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error decoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a diagram of an example of a storage unit (SU) within the distributed computing system performing a distributed storage and task processing operation;

FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a distributed computing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating an example of redundantly storing data in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for execution by one or more computing devices in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed, or distributed, storage network (DSN) 10 that includes a plurality of computing devices 12-16, a managing unit 18, an integrity processing unit 20, and a DSN memory 22. The components of the DSN 10 are coupled to a network 24, which may include one or more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or more non-public intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of storage units 36 that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.), at a common site, or a combination thereof. For example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, each storage unit is located at a different site. As another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, all eight storage units are located at the same site. As yet another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, a first pair of storage units are at a first common site, a second pair of storage units are at a second common site, a third pair of storage units are at a third common site, and a fourth pair of storage units are at a fourth common site. Note that a DSN memory 22 may include more or less than eight storage units 36. Further note that each storage unit 36 includes a computing core (as shown in FIG. 2, or components thereof) and a plurality of memory devices for storing dispersed error encoded data.

Each of the computing devices 12-16, the managing unit 18, and the integrity processing unit 20 include a computing core 26, which includes network interfaces 30-33. Computing devices 12-16 may each be a portable computing device and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device may be a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video game controller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computing core. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), a computer server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment. Note that each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 may be separate computing devices, may be a common computing device, and/or may be integrated into one or more of the computing devices 12-16 and/or into one or more of the storage units 36.

Each interface 30, 32, and 33 includes software and hardware to support one or more communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly. For example, interface 30 supports a communication link (e.g., wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between computing devices 14 and 16. As another example, interface 32 supports communication links (e.g., a wired connection, a wireless connection, a LAN connection, and/or any other type of connection to/from the network 24) between computing devices 12 & 16 and the DSN memory 22. As yet another example, interface 33 supports a communication link for each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 to the network 24.

Computing devices 12 and 16 include a dispersed storage (DS) client module 34, which enables the computing device to dispersed storage error encode and decode data as subsequently described with reference to one or more of FIGS. 3-8. In this example embodiment, computing device 16 functions as a dispersed storage processing agent for computing device 14. In this role, computing device 16 dispersed storage error encodes and decodes data on behalf of computing device 14. With the use of dispersed storage error encoding and decoding, the DSN 10 is tolerant of a significant number of storage unit failures (the number of failures is based on parameters of the dispersed storage error encoding function) without loss of data and without the need for a redundant or backup copies of the data. Further, the DSN 10 stores data for an indefinite period of time without data loss and in a secure manner (e.g., the system is very resistant to unauthorized attempts at accessing the data).

In operation, the managing unit 18 performs DS management services. For example, the managing unit 18 establishes distributed data storage parameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile information, etc.) for computing devices 12-14 individually or as part of a group of user devices. As a specific example, the managing unit 18 coordinates creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block associated with a portion of an overall namespace of the DSN) within the DSN memory 22 for a user device, a group of devices, or for public access and establishes per vault dispersed storage (DS) error encoding parameters for a vault. The managing unit 18 facilitates storage of DS error encoding parameters for each vault by updating registry information of the DSN 10, where the registry information may be stored in the DSN memory 22, a computing device 12-16, the managing unit 18, and/or the integrity processing unit 20.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates and stores user profile information (e.g., an access control list (ACL)) in local memory and/or within memory of the DSN module 22. The user profile information includes authentication information, permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters may include encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key generation scheme, and/or data encoding/decoding scheme.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates billing information for a particular user, a user group, a vault access, public vault access, etc. For instance, the DSN managing unit 18 tracks the number of times a user accesses a non-public vault and/or public vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access billing information. In another instance, the DSN managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/or retrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used to generate a per-data-amount billing information.

As another example, the managing unit 18 performs network operations, network administration, and/or network maintenance. Network operations includes authenticating user data allocation requests (e.g., read and/or write requests), managing creation of vaults, establishing authentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting components (e.g., user devices, storage units, and/or computing devices with a DS client module 34) to/from the DSN 10, and/or establishing authentication credentials for the storage units 36. Network administration includes monitoring devices and/or units for failures, maintaining vault information, determining device and/or unit activation status, determining device and/or unit loading, and/or determining any other system level operation that affects the performance level of the DSN 10. Network maintenance includes facilitating replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding a device and/or unit of the DSN 10.

The integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding of ‘bad’ or missing encoded data slices. At a high level, the integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding by periodically attempting to retrieve/list encoded data slices, and/or slice names of the encoded data slices, from the DSN memory 22. For retrieved encoded slices, they are checked for errors due to data corruption, outdated version, etc. If a slice includes an error, it is flagged as a ‘bad’ slice. For encoded data slices that were not received and/or not listed, they are flagged as missing slices. Bad and/or missing slices are subsequently rebuilt using other retrieved encoded data slices that are deemed to be good slices to produce rebuilt slices. The rebuilt slices are stored in the DSN memory 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core 26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, main memory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO) controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58, an IO interface module 60, at least one IO device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM) basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interface modules. The one or more memory interface module(s) includes one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash interface module 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN interface module 76.

The DSN interface module 76 functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a block memory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). The DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module 70 may function as one or more of the interface 30-33 of FIG. 1. Note that the IO device interface module 62 and/or the memory interface modules 66-76 may be collectively or individually referred to as IO ports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data. When a computing device 12 or 16 has data to store it disperse storage error encodes the data in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding process based on dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters include an encoding function (e.g., information dispersal algorithm, Reed-Solomon, Cauchy Reed-Solomon, systematic encoding, non-systematic encoding, on-line codes, etc.), a data segmenting protocol (e.g., data segment size, fixed, variable, etc.), and per data segment encoding values. The per data segment encoding values include a total, or pillar width, number (T) of encoded data slices per encoding of a data segment i.e., in a set of encoded data slices); a decode threshold number (D) of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices that are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number (R) of encoded data slices to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set to be read from storage for decoding of the data segment; and/or a write threshold number (W) to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set that must be accurately stored before the encoded data segment is deemed to have been properly stored. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters may further include slicing information (e.g., the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each data segment) and/or slice security information (e.g., per encoded data slice encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).

In the present example, Cauchy Reed-Solomon has been selected as the encoding function (a generic example is shown in FIG. 4 and a specific example is shown in FIG. 5); the data segmenting protocol is to divide the data object into fixed sized data segments; and the per data segment encoding values include: a pillar width of 5, a decode threshold of 3, a read threshold of 4, and a write threshold of 4. In accordance with the data segmenting protocol, the computing device 12 or 16 divides the data (e.g., a file (e.g., text, video, audio, etc.), a data object, or other data arrangement) into a plurality of fixed sized data segments (e.g., 1 through Y of a fixed size in range of Kilo-bytes to Tera-bytes or more). The number of data segments created is dependent of the size of the data and the data segmenting protocol.

The computing device 12 or 16 then disperse storage error encodes a data segment using the selected encoding function (e.g., Cauchy Reed-Solomon) to produce a set of encoded data slices. FIG. 4 illustrates a generic Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding function, which includes an encoding matrix (EM), a data matrix (DM), and a coded matrix (CM). The size of the encoding matrix (EM) is dependent on the pillar width number (T) and the decode threshold number (D) of selected per data segment encoding values. To produce the data matrix (DM), the data segment is divided into a plurality of data blocks and the data blocks are arranged into D number of rows with Z data blocks per row. Note that Z is a function of the number of data blocks created from the data segment and the decode threshold number (D). The coded matrix is produced by matrix multiplying the data matrix by the encoding matrix.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding with a pillar number (T) of five and decode threshold number of three. In this example, a first data segment is divided into twelve data blocks (D1-D12). The coded matrix includes five rows of coded data blocks, where the first row of X11-X14 corresponds to a first encoded data slice (EDS 1_1), the second row of X21-X24 corresponds to a second encoded data slice (EDS 2_1), the third row of X31-X34 corresponds to a third encoded data slice (EDS 3_1), the fourth row of X41-X44 corresponds to a fourth encoded data slice (EDS 4_1), and the fifth row of X51-X54 corresponds to a fifth encoded data slice (EDS 5_1). Note that the second number of the EDS designation corresponds to the data segment number.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the computing device also creates a slice name (SN) for each encoded data slice (EDS) in the set of encoded data slices. A typical format for a slice name 60 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the slice name (SN) 60 includes a pillar number of the encoded data slice (e.g., one of 1-T), a data segment number (e.g., one of 1-Y), a vault identifier (ID), a data object identifier (ID), and may further include revision level information of the encoded data slices. The slice name functions as, at least part of, a DSN address for the encoded data slice for storage and retrieval from the DSN memory 22.

As a result of encoding, the computing device 12 or 16 produces a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, which are provided with their respective slice names to the storage units for storage. As shown, the first set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_1 through EDS 5_1 and the first set of slice names includes SN 1_1 through SN 5_1 and the last set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_Y through EDS 5_Y and the last set of slice names includes SN 1_Y through SN 5_Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of a data object that was dispersed storage error encoded and stored in the example of FIG. 4. In this example, the computing device 12 or 16 retrieves from the storage units at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment. As a specific example, the computing device retrieves a read threshold number of encoded data slices.

To recover a data segment from a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, the computing device uses a decoding function as shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the decoding function is essentially an inverse of the encoding function of FIG. 4. The coded matrix includes a decode threshold number of rows (e.g., three in this example) and the decoding matrix in an inversion of the encoding matrix that includes the corresponding rows of the coded matrix. For example, if the coded matrix includes rows 1, 2, and 4, the encoding matrix is reduced to rows 1, 2, and 4, and then inverted to produce the decoding matrix.

A dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) module includes a plurality of distributed storage and/or task (DST) execution units 36 (e.g., storage units (SUs), computing devices, etc.) that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.). Each of the DST execution units is operable to store dispersed error encoded data and/or to execute, in a distributed manner, one or more tasks on data. The tasks may be a simple function (e.g., a mathematical function, a logic function, an identify function, a find function, a search engine function, a replace function, etc.), a complex function (e.g., compression, human and/or computer language translation, text-to-voice conversion, voice-to-text conversion, etc.), multiple simple and/or complex functions, one or more algorithms, one or more applications, etc.

FIG. 9A is a diagram of an example 901 of the distributed computing system performing a distributed storage and task processing operation. The distributed computing system may be implemented to include a plurality of storage units (SUs) such as may include two or more storage units (SUs) 36-1 such as with respect to (which form at least a portion of DSN memory 22 such as with respect to FIG. 1). Each of the SUs 1-n (shown as SU 36-1 in FIG. 9A) includes a controller 86, a processing module 84, memory 88, a DT (distributed task) execution module 90, and a DS client module 34. The memory 88 is of sufficient size to store a significant number of encoded data slices (EDSs) (e.g., thousands of slices to hundreds-of-millions of slices) and may include one or more hard drives and/or one or more solid-state memory devices (e.g., flash memory, DRAM, etc.). Note that terms such as EDS or slice (or EDSs or slices) may be used interchangeably herein in various examples.

FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram 902 of another embodiment of a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) that includes the computing device 16 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1, and a storage set. The storage set includes a set of Storage units (SUs) 1-n (e.g., shown as storage set 910). Each SU includes the processing module 84 and the memory 88 such as described with respect to FIG. 9A. Each SU may be implemented utilizing the storage unit (SU) 36 of FIG. 1. Hereafter, each SU may be interchangeably referred to as a storage unit and the storage set may be interchangeably referred to as a set of storage units. The DSN functions to redundantly stored data.

In an example of operation of the redundant storing of the data, a SU receives a write fanout slice request, where the request includes one or more of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, and a fanout count, where data is divided into a plurality of S data segments, and each data segment is dispersed storage error encoded to produce a set of EDSs of a plurality of sets of EDSs. For example, a first set of EDSs includes EDSs A-1-1, A-2-1, through A-n-1 and a Sth set of EDSs includes EDSs A-1-S, A-2-S, through A-n-S. For instance, the DST processing unit 16 generates a write fanout slice request 1 to include EDS A-1-1, a slice name for EDS A-1-1 and a fanout count of 3 for the EDS A-1-1, etc., through the Sth EDS A-1-S; and sends, via the network 24, the write fanout slice requests 1-n to the set of SUs 1-n.

Having received the write fanout slice request, the SU generates a plurality of replicated EDSs of the received EDS in accordance with the fanout count. For example, the SU generates a fanout count number of 3 total replicate EDSs of the EDS for storage (e.g., SU 1 and generates EDSs A-1-1 c 1 , A-1-1 c 2, and A-1-1 c 3 as the three copies of the EDS.

Having generated the replicated EDSs, for each replicated EDS, the SU applies a deterministic function to the received slice name and a replicate EDS of the replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of and associated copy of the EDS. The applying includes identifying the replicate EDS identity (e.g., 1, 2, 3), selecting the deterministic function, (e.g., a predetermined function, received in the request, extracted from system registry information), performing the selected deterministic function on the slice name and the identity of the replicate EDS to produce the unique slice name. Having produced the slice names, the SU facilitates storage of the replicated EDSs in the memory 88.

Having stored the replicated EDSs, for each stored replicated EDS, the SU associates a storage location with a corresponding unique slice name of the replicated EDS. The associating includes updating a slice name-to-storage location table that associates the unique slice name and the storage location. Alternatively, or in addition to, the SU receives the unique slice names for the copies of EDSs in the request in lieu of the fanout count.

Having associated the storage locations with the unique slice names, the SU issues a write response to the DST processing unit 16 that includes a status of storing of the plurality of replicate EDSs. For example, the SU 1 generates a write response 1 indicating that three copies of each EDS to be stored in the SU 1 has been stored, and sends, via the network 24, the write response 1 to the DST processing unit 16.

In an example of operation and implementation, a storage unit (SU) includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory such that the processing module, when operable within the SU based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations.

In an example, the SU is configured to receive (e.g., via an interface of the SU and from a computing device) a write fanout request. The SU is also configured to process the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU. The SU is also configured to generate a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN. Note that a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, and a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least one of the plurality of EDSs.

In some examples, for each replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs, the SU is configured to apply a deterministic function to a slice name and a replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN. The SU is also configured to associate a storage location for the unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN. The SU is also configured to transmit (e.g., via the interface and to the computing device and after application of the deterministic function and association of the storage location) a write response that includes status of storing the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN.

Also, in some embodiments, the parameters specified within the write fanout request regarding the write fanout operation to be performed by the SU include one or more of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, a plurality of slice names of the plurality of EDSs, a slice revision number, and/or a fanout count that specifies a total replicate number of EDSs to be generated and stored.

In even other examples, the SU is configured to generate at least a write threshold number of EDSs of the plurality of replicated EDSs based on the plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN. Note that the plurality of EDSs includes the set of EDSs, and the write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.

Also, in certain examples, the set of EDSs is of pillar width, and the set of EDSs are distributedly stored among a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU. Note also that a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment, and a read threshold number of EDSs provides for reconstruction of the data segment. In addition, a write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.

Note that the SU may be of any of a variety of types of devices as described herein and/or their equivalents including at least one other SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN. Also, note that the computing device may be of any of a variety of types of devices as described herein and/or their equivalents including another SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, and/or a video game device. Note also that the DSN may be implemented to include or be based on any of a number of different types of communication systems including a wireless communication system, a wire lined communication systems, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local area network (LAN), and/or a wide area network (WAN).

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating an example of redundantly storing data. The method 1001 begins or continues at a step 1010 where a processing module (e.g., of a distributed storage and task (DST) execution unit) receives a write fanout slice request that includes an EDS for replicated storage. The method 1001 continues at the step 1020 where the processing module generates a plurality of replicated EDSs of the received EDS. The generating includes determining a number of replicated EDSs to generate (e.g., interpreting a fanout count, counting the number of received slice names), and copying the received EDS to produce the determined number of replicated EDSs.

For each replicated EDS, the method 1001 continues at the step 1030 where the processing module applies a deterministic function to a received slice name and a replicated EDS identifier to produce a unique slice name for the replicated EDS. For example, the processing module identifies the replicated EDS identifier, selects the deterministic function, and performs the selected deterministic function on the slice name and the identifier of the replicated EDS to produce the unique slice name. Alternatively, the processing module extracts a unique slice name for each replicated EDS from the write fanout request when receiving the two or more slice names for a common EDS.

The method 1001 continues at the step 1040 where the processing module facilitates storage of the plurality of replicated EDSs. For example, the processing module stores the plurality of replicated EDSs in a local memory. For each stored replicated EDS, the method 1001 continues at the step 1050 where the processing module associates a storage location with a corresponding unique slice name of the replicated EDS. For example, the processing module updates a slice name-to-location table that associates the unique slice name and the storage location.

The method 1001 continues at the step 1060 where the processing module issues a write response to a requesting entity to indicate status of the storage of the plurality of replicated EDSs. For example, for each replicated EDS, the processing module generates a corresponding storage status indicator (e.g., number of replicated EDSs successfully stored) with regards to storage of the replicated EDS, generates the write response to include the storage status indicator of each replicated EDS, and sends the write response to the requesting entity.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 1002 for execution by one or more computing devices in accordance with the present invention. In one example, the one or more computing devices includes one or more storage units (SUs). The method 1002 begins or continues at a step 1011 by receiving (e.g., via an interface of an SU configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) and from a computing device) a write fanout request. The method 1001 then operates at the step 1021 by processing the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU. The method 1001 continues at the step 1031 generating a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN. Note that a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, and a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least one of the plurality of EDSs.

In some examples, for each replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs, some variants of the method 1002 also operate by applying a deterministic function to a slice name and a replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN. Such variants of the method 1002 may also operate by associating a storage location for the unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN and transmitting (e.g., via the interface and to the computing device and after application of the deterministic function and association of the storage location) a write response that includes status of storing the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN.

In even other examples, other variants of the method 1002 are implemented such that the parameters specified within the write fanout request regarding the write fanout operation to be performed by the SU include one or more of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, a plurality of slice names of the plurality of EDSs, a slice revision number, and/or a fanout count that specifies a total replicate number of EDSs to be generated and stored.

In yet other examples, other variants of the method 1002 also continue by generating at least a write threshold number of EDSs of the plurality of replicated EDSs based on the plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN. Also, in some examples, note that the plurality of EDSs includes the set of EDSs. In addition, in some other examples, the write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.

This disclosure presents, among other things, various examples of slice fanout write requests, slice fanout operations, slice fanout related operations, etc. as may be performed by various devices within a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) including one or more storage units (SUs), computing devices, and/or any other devices.

For example, in order to create multiple uniquely retrievable and assignable instances of a given piece of content, this disclosure presents, among other things, a novel protocol message. In an example of operation and implementation, the WriteFanOut request supplies at least one slice, slice name, revision, and/or an expected revision if performing a checked operation. In addition, in some examples, with each EDS written a “fanout count” is provided, or alternatively, a set of multiple slice names and slice revisions is provided in lieu of the fanout count. The count may be represented as an integer. For example, when a storage unit (SU) receives a WriteFanOut request containing a fanout count (e.g., from a computing device via an interface of the SU), it takes the slice content and revision for that slice/EDS, and permutes the slice name in a deterministic way to produce at least fanout count number of slices/EDSs. For example, it may increment a certain field or set of bytes within a part of the source name of the slice/EDS. Thereby, creating multiple slices/EDSs all having the same slice/EDS content. The SU then processes each of these slices/EDSs as a normal explicit WriteRequest. When all slices/EDSs have been processed the SU returns a response to the requester. Alternatively, when multiple explicitly provided slice names and optionally revisions are provided, the SU will form new slices/EDSs using those names and revisions, for the slice content received in the request. Each of these formed slices/EDSs are then processed as normal and an appropriate response is returned. This request enables any redundant or duplicate slice content to be efficiently transmitted in small requests, and then “blown up” to much larger sizes within the SU itself.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream, stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been used interchangeably to describe digital information whose content corresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video, speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processing circuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of the embodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device such as a processor or other processing device or other hardware that may include or operate in association with a memory that stores operational instructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes one or more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memory device, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within a memory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. The memory device may be in a form a solid state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive, server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium for storing digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage unit (SU) comprising: an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN); memory that stores operational instructions; and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and to the memory, wherein the processing module, when operable within the SU based on the operational instructions, is configured to: receive, via the interface and from a computing device, a write fanout request; process the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU; and generate a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN, wherein a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least one of the plurality of EDSs.
 2. The SU of claim 1, wherein the processing module, when operable within the SU based on the operational instructions, is further configured, for each replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs, to: apply a deterministic function to a slice name and a replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; associate a storage location for the unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; and transmit, via the interface and to the computing device and after application of the deterministic function and association of the storage location, a write response that includes status of storing the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN.
 3. The SU of claim 1, wherein the parameters specified within the write fanout request regarding the write fanout operation to be performed by the SU including at least one of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, a plurality of slice names of the plurality of EDSs, a slice revision number, or a fanout count that specifies a total replicate number of EDSs to be generated and stored.
 4. The SU of claim 1, wherein the processing module, when operable within the SU based on the operational instructions, is further configured to: generate at least a write threshold number of EDSs of the plurality of replicated EDSs based on the plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN, wherein the plurality of EDSs includes the set of EDSs, wherein the write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.
 5. The SU of claim 1, wherein: the set of EDSs is of pillar width; the set of EDSs are distributedly stored among a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU; a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number of EDSs provides for reconstruction of the data segment; and a write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.
 6. The SU of claim 1, wherein the SU is located at a first premises that is remotely located from at least one other SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN.
 7. The SU of claim 1, wherein the computing device includes another SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, or a video game device.
 8. The SU of claim 1, wherein the DSN includes at least one of a wireless communication system, a wire lined communication systems, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 9. A storage unit (SU) comprising: an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN); memory that stores operational instructions; and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and to the memory, wherein the processing module, when operable within the SU based on the operational instructions, is configured to: receive, via the interface and from a computing device, a write fanout request; process the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU; generate a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least a write threshold number of EDSs based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN, wherein a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least one of the plurality of EDSs, wherein the write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN; apply a deterministic function to a slice name and a replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; associate a storage location for the unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; and transmit, via the interface and to the computing device and after application of the deterministic function and association of the storage location, a write response that includes status of storing the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN.
 10. The SU of claim 9, wherein the parameters specified within the write fanout request regarding the write fanout operation to be performed by the SU including at least one of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, a plurality of slice names of the plurality of EDSs, a slice revision number, or a fanout count that specifies a total replicate number of EDSs to be generated and stored.
 11. The SU of claim 9, wherein: the set of EDSs is of pillar width; the set of EDSs are distributedly stored among a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU; a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number of EDSs provides for reconstruction of the data segment; and a write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.
 12. The SU of claim 9, wherein: the SU is located at a first premises that is remotely located from at least one other SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN; the computing device includes another SU of the plurality of SUs that includes the SU within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, or a video game device.
 13. The SU of claim 9, wherein the DSN includes at least one of a wireless communication system, a wire lined communication systems, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
 14. A method for execution by a storage unit (SU), the method comprising: receiving, via an interface of the SU configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) and from a computing device, a write fanout request; processing the write fanout request to determine parameters specified therein regarding a write fanout operation to be performed by the SU; and generating a plurality of replicated encoded data slices (EDSs) based on a plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN, wherein a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that includes at least one of the plurality of EDSs.
 15. The method of claim 14, for each replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs, further comprising: applying a deterministic function to a slice name and a replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDSs to produce a unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; associating a storage location for the unique slice name for storage of the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN; and transmitting, via the interface and to the computing device and after application of the deterministic function and association of the storage location, a write response that includes status of storing the replicated EDS of the plurality of replicated EDS within the DSN.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the parameters specified within the write fanout request regarding the write fanout operation to be performed by the SU including at least one of an EDS for storage, a slice name of the EDS, a plurality of slice names of the plurality of EDSs, a slice revision number, or a fanout count that specifies a total replicate number of EDSs to be generated and stored.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising: generating at least a write threshold number of EDSs of the plurality of replicated EDSs based on the plurality of EDSs in accordance with the parameters specified within the write fanout request to be stored within the DSN, wherein the plurality of EDSs includes the set of EDSs, wherein the write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein: the set of EDSs is of pillar width; the set of EDSs are distributedly stored among a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU; a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number of EDSs provides for reconstruction of the data segment; and a write threshold number of EDSs provides for a successful transfer of the set of EDSs from a first at least one location in the DSN to a second at least one location in the DSN.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein: the SU is located at a first premises that is remotely located from at least one other SU of a plurality of storage units (SUs) that includes the SU within the DSN; the computing device includes another SU of the plurality of SUs that includes the SU within the DSN, a wireless smart phone, a laptop, a tablet, a personal computers (PC), a work station, or a video game device.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the DSN includes at least one of a wireless communication system, a wire lined communication systems, a non-public intranet system, a public internet system, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). 